Neighbors appeal Twin Peaks project

NEWS

Published 07/18/2013

by David-Elijah Nahmod

A group of neighbors from the Twin Peaks Eastside
Neighborhood Alliance look at 70 Crestline, left of the stairs, during a July
13 walking tour of 14 open space parcels that are threatened with development
on the east side of Twin Peaks.(Photo: Rick Gerharter)

A development project that was approved by the San Francisco
Planning Commission is being appealed because it will allow construction on one
of the few remaining open green spaces in the city.

Neighbors also fear it will set a precedent and allow
construction on several other open spaces in the area.

In a twist, one of the developers of the project is Rodrigo
Santos, who is a former president of the city's Building Inspection Commission
and a former City College trustee.

The building permit that was approved by the commission in
May will allow a five-story over garage, four-unit building to be built at 70
Crestline, near the Twin Peaks bus stop. The building would be up against and
sharing the public staircase that neighbors and tourists use to get to and from
Twin Peaks, one of the highest points in San Francisco, according to members of
the Twin Peaks Eastside Neighborhood Alliance.

Last Saturday, alliance member Frank Pietronigro, a gay
artist and environmental activist, led a walking tour of the site to look at
the green spaces.

"It was always the intention of the original developers
to leave open spaces to complement and enrich the quality of life in the
community," Pietronigro told the Bay Area Reporter
during the July 13 tour. "The city does need
housing, but let's hope the city has the capacity and wherewithal to keep open
spaces green. Once they are gone they cannot be brought back."

Pietronigro led an upbeat group of about a dozen
neighborhood residents on a circular tour of the street around the disputed
site. Again and again, people stopped at various points to admire the
impressive views and greenery that graced the open spaces between many of the
small apartment buildings. One of the spots included the area's last remaining
orchard tree.

"I'm really conscious of overbuilding, and what we are
building," said Patricia Camp-Aguilar, a longtime area resident. "What
are we replacing? If we remain unconscious of our own environment, then we
remain unconscious of what's going on in our country and in the larger
environment of the world. It's all interconnected."

Camp-Aguilar pointed out that many of the open spaces
provide safety access and exits during fires and earthquakes.

Donald Bateman showed the B.A.R.
the plans for the proposed new building. Developers
promised to keep the space green by growing ivy along the side of the completed
structure.

"Ivy growing up a concrete wall is not a green
space," observed Martha Gorzycki.

"It's called mold," said Grant Wilson.

According to the alliance, the commission's approval of the
project came despite opposition by neighbors, community activists, and even
planning department staff, which urged the commission to deny the application
to subdivide and build on the 70 Crestline lot.

Some neighbors have appealed the commission's decision to
the Board of Appeals, which was expected to hear the case July 17 (after press
time). In his letter to the board, Pietronigro said that the long-term quality
of life issues should prompt it to deny the proposal.

"When I open my door each morning I am greeted with
some of the last open spaces that Vista San Francisco offers our
neighborhood," Pietronigro, a 16-year resident, wrote.

Santos and Urrutia, the developers, did not respond to
messages seeking comment.